Container load retaining means for stationary packer

ABSTRACT

A stationary packer apparatus for loading portable refuse containers or packer bodies that comprises a novel load retaining means for keeping refuse within the confines of the containers after they have been filled with a compressed load.

United States Patent inventor Donal W. Chaney Galion, Ohio 760,429

Sept. 18, 1968 June 8, 1971 Ilarsco Corporation Harrisburg, Pa.

Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee CONTAINER LOAD RETAINING MEANS FOR STATIONARY PACKER 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 100/229, 141/73 Int. Cl 83% 15/06 [50] Field of Search 100/187, 220, 229, 295, 214; 53/124; 141/71, 73; 214/41, 83.3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,129,657 4/1964 Farley et al. 100/214 3,229,618 H1966 OC0nn0r.... l00/229UX 3,250,414 5/1966 Pioch 100/229UX Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney-Schmieding and Fultz ABSTRACT: A stationary packer apparatus for loading portable refuse containers or packer bodies that comprises a novel load retaining means for keeping refuse within the confines of the containers after they have been filled with a compressed load.

PATENTEUJUN 8mm 3583;313

SHEET 1 BF 4 INVHNTOR. DONAL W. CHANEY BY M 9' M1 ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUN 8l97| 3583313 SHEET 8 UF 4 3 INVENTOR.

, DONAL W. CHANEY ,JM/wx ATTORNEYS 'PATENTEUJUN 81971 3583313 SHEET h 0F 4 ATTORNEY S INVENTOR.

\o DONAL W. CHANEY LO I F MA CONTAINER LOAD RETAINING MEANS FOR STATIONARY PACKER This invention relates to refuse handling apparatus, and more particularly to portable refuse containers that are loaded by associated stationary packer apparatus.

In general, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a novel load retaining means for keeping refuse within the confines of a portable container, or packer body, after it has been filled with a compressed load by an associated stationary packer apparatus.

In the loading of large packer-type refuse truck bodies, or other large portable containers, it is the practice in the art to couple the container to a stationary packer apparatus with a load receiving opening in a wall of the container in communication with a discharge passage of the packer. A reciprocating ram in said passage is then actuated to discharge and compress refuse into the container until said container is completely filled with a highly compressed load of refuse.

When the loaded container is uncoupled from the packer apparatus a problem is encountered in that the highly compacted refuse will spill outwardly from the loading opening of the container. In accordance with the present invention this problem is eliminated in a simple and inexpensive manner by the combination of a pivotally mounted refuse engaging means mounted on the front end of the packer ram so as to form a transverse passage, and an associated refuse retaining member removably mounted to the container so as to extend across the loading opening and through said passage.

When the container becomes fully loaded to the loading opening of the container, the ram is retracted and the refuse engaging means on the ram is caused to pivot and move past the retaining member, with the latter remaining on the container and across the loading opening so as to retain substantially all the compressed refuse within the container.

As another aspect of the present invention the above-mentioned load engaging means on the packer ram is pivotally mounted so as to be moved to a closed passage-forming position by the action of gravity, and to an open retainer releasing position responsive to engagement by said retainer member on the container.

As another aspect of the present invention the above-mentioned refuse engaging member on the packer ram is preferably formed of angular cross-sectional shape and mounted on the ram such that the flange portions of the member confront the front of the ram, and the apex of the flanges engage the load thereby providing a stable, structurally sound arrangement for resisting high operational stresses.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel load retaining means for a portable refuse container and associated packer apparatus that functions in a unique manner to prevent spillage of a highly compacted load when the container is uncoupled from the packer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described that is automatically released upon uncoupling of the portable container from the packer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described that is simple in design, yet structurally stable and sound under high operational stresses such as are encountered during compressed loading operations.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. I is a partial perspective view showing a portable refuse container and associated packer apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, said container means and packer being disposed in a separated position prior to the coupling together of the two portions of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a partial side sectional view showing the apparatus of the preceding figures after the portable container means has been coupled to the stationary packer and with the ram in a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing the packer apparatus with the packer ram in an extended position;

FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view showing the junction of the container means and packer apparatus to which the load retaining means of the present invention has been applied;

FIG. 5 is a partial side sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 which shows the load retaining means in an open position;

FIG. 6 is a partial front elevational view, partially in section, of the load retaining means of the preceding figures; and

FIG. 7 is a broken perspective view showing the load retaining means in a closed position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a portable container means indicated generally at 20 which may be in the form of a drag-on type refuse packer body. Container means 20 includes a rear wall 22, sidewalls 24, top wall 26, and a bottom wall 27.

The container means further includes casters 28 which movably support the container as it is moved across the supporting surface or dragged onto a truck frame for the purpose of transporting same to the dumping site.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, container means 20 further includes upright frame members 30 which define a refuse-receiving or loading opening 32.

With reference to FIGS. I through 3, a stationary packer apparatus is indicated generally at 36 that includes a supporting frame 38, sidewalls 40, a top wall 42 and a bottom wall 44, said walls defining a passage 46 in which is reciprocatably mounted a packer ram indicated generally at 50.

As seen in FIG. 2 and 3, packer ram 50 is reciprocated from the retracted position of FIG. 2 to the extended position of FIG. 3 by a suitable power means such as the hydraulic cylinder 52.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, the top wall 42, bottom wall 44 and sidewalls 40 that form passageway 46 of the packer include end projections 56 that form flanges that fit closely with the inside of loading opening 32 of the container means 20.

As is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, it should be mentioned that container means 20 is coupled to packer apparatus 36 by chains 60 which attach to a bracket 62 by inserting a pin through holes in the bracket or by other suitable connecting means.

Referring next to FIGS. 4 through 7, the refuse retaining means is shown in enlarged detail and consists of a plurality of refuse engaging members indicated generally at 66 which are preferably of angular cross-sectional shape that includes upper flanges 68 and lower flanges 70. Upper flange 68 is pivotally mounted to a front wall 72 of the ram at the hinge pin 74.

It will be noted that flanges 68 and 70 join at an apex 76 i which faces forwardly with respect to the direction of extension of ram 50 so as to engage the refuse when container 20 is full, in the manner seen in FIG. 3.

The apparatus further includes a plurality of refuse retaining members 80 each of which is removably mounted in holes 82 which extend laterally through container frame members 30 seen in FIG. 1.

It should be mentioned that the edge flanges 56 of the passage sidewalls 40, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, are provided with open-ended slots 84 which are aligned with the holes 82 of container side members 30 to permit insertion of the refuse retaining members 80.

It will now be understood that when the packer ram 56 is in the extended position of FIG. 3 then the refuse retaining member can be inserted into the mounting holes 82 in container frame member 36) and through the passage formed in front of the packer ram by the refuse engaging member 66, the

latter serving to compress the refuse, at certain locations, inwardly of the holes 82 in container frame members 30.

It will further be understood that after refuse retaining members 80 are inserted into position, then packer ram 50 can be retracted whereby lower flanges 70 on refuse engaging member 66 are pivoted upwardly to an open position whereby said refuse engaging members 66 can move past retaining members 80.

With refuse engaging members 68 moved clear of retaining members 80 the fastening means 60-62 is next disconnected whereby portable container 20 can be moved away from packer apparatus 36.

It should further be mentioned that when an empty container is being attached to packer apparatus 36, a pair of spaced guides 90 function to precisely position opening 32 in the end wall of container means 20 so that the end flanges 56 of the packer 36 can slide into the opening.

lclaim: Y

1. Load retaining means for a refuse container and associated stationary packer apparatus comprising, in combination, portable container means including spaced frame members defining a container opening in the sidewall thereof; stationary packer apparatus including a packer frame means defining a refuse receiving passage having a refuse discharge opening; means for detachably connecting said container means to said packer frame means with said container opening communicating with said refuse discharge opening; a packer ram mounted for reciprocation in said passage between a retracted position wherein said passage is loaded and an extended position wherein a front end of said ram is adjacent said container opening; a refuse engaging member mounted on the front end of said ram so as to compress refuse inwardly of said spaced frame members of said container opening, said refuse engaging member including a surface inclined relative to the front end of said ram; a refuse retaining member detachably mounted on said container means and extended across said container opening outwardly of said refuse engaging member, one of said members being movably mounted so as to be transversely shiftable relative to the other of said members responsive to relative movement between said ram and container means.

2. Load retaining means for a refuse container and associated stationary packer apparatus comprising, in combination, portable container means including spaced frame members defining a container opening in the sidewall thereof; a stationary packer apparatus including a packer frame means defining a refuse receiving passage having a refuse discharge opening; means for detachably connecting said container means to said packer frame means with said container opening communicating with said refuse discharge opening; a packer ram mounted for reciprocation in said passage between a retracted position wherein said passage is loaded and an extended position wherein a front end of said ram is adjacent said container opening; a refuse engaging member pivotally mounted to the front end of said ram and spaced therefrom to form an elongated retainer receiving passage across said container opening, said refuse engaging member including a surface inclined relative to the front end of said ram; a refuse retaining member detachably mountable to said container so as to extend through said retainer receiving passage when said ram is in the extended position, said refuse engaging member being pivotable for movement past said refuse retaining member upon movement of said ram from said extended to said retracted position.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said refuse enremovably inserted in said mounting holes.

5. Load retaining means for a refuse container and associated stationary packer apparatus comprising, in combination, portable container means including spaced frame members defining a container opening in the sidewall thereof; stationary packer apparatus including a packer frame means defining a refuse receiving passage having a refuse discharge opening; means for detachably connecting said container means to said packer frame means with said container opening communicating with said refuse discharge opening; a packer ram mounted for reciprocation in said passage between a retracted position wherein said passage is loaded and an extended position wherein a front end of said ram is adjacent said container opening; a refuse engaging member of angular cross section and including an upper flange pivotally mounted on the front end of said ram, a lower flange freely engaging said front end of said ram, and an apex extending forwardly of said ram, flanges forming a retainer receiving passage across said container opening when said ram is in the extended position; refuse retaining means detachably mountable to said container means so as to extend into said retainer receiving passage when said ram is in the extended position, said refuse engaging member being pivotable transversely of the path of movement of said ram upon relative movement between said ram and container means.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said refuse retaining means includes a rod removably insertable through said spaced frame members that define said container opening and said retainer receiving passage of said refuse engaging member.

7. In a refuse container that includes a load opening and an associated packer provided with a reciprocable ram that is movable toward and away from said opening, the combination of a movable refuse engaging means mounted on a forward end of said ram and forming a passage across said load opening, said refuse engaging means including a surface inclined relative to the front end of said ram; and a refuse retaining member mountabie on said container and extendable through said passage when said ram is extended and said opening is full of refuse, said refuse engaging means including an upper edge pivotally mounted on said forward end of said ram so as to be moved to a passage forming position by the action of gravity and to a member releasing position by engagement with said refuse retaining member. 

1. Load retaining means for a refuse container and associated stationary packer apparatus comprising, in combination, portable container means including spaced frame members defining a container opening in the sidewall thereof; stationary packer apparatus including a packer frame means defining a refuse receiving passage having a refuse discharge opening; means for detachably connecting said container means to said packer frame means with said container opening communicating with said refuse discharge opening; a packer ram mounted for reciprocation in said passage between a retracted position wherein said passage is loaded and an extended position wherein a front end of said ram is adjacent said container opening; a refuse engaging member mounted on the front end of said ram so as to compress refuse inwardly of said spaced frame members of said container opening, said refuse engaging member including a surface inclined relative to the front end of said ram; a refuse retaining member detachably mounted on said container means and extended across said container opening outwardly of said refuse engaging member, one of said members being movably mounted so as to be transversely shiftable relative to the other of said members responsive to relative movement between said ram and container means.
 2. Load retaining means for a refuse container and associated stationary packer apparatus comprising, in combination, portable container means including spaced frame members defining a container opening in the sidewall thereof; a stationary packer apparatus including a packer frame means defining a refuse receiving passage having a refuse discharge opening; means for detachably connecting said container means to said packer frame means with said container opening communicating with said refuse discharge opening; a packer ram mounted for reciprocation in said passage between a retracted position wherein said passage is loaded and an extended position wherein a front end of said ram is adjacent said container opening; a refuse engaging member pivotally mounted to the front end of said ram and spaced therefrom to form an elongated retainer receiving passage across said container opening, said refuse engaging member including a surface inclined relative to the front end of said ram; a refuse retaining member detachably mountable to said container so as to extend through said retainer receiving passage when said ram is in the extended position, said refuse engaging member being pivotable for movement past said refuse retaining member upon movement of sAid ram from said extended to said retracted position.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said refuse engaging member is pivoted between a closed passage forming position and an open position, said refuse engaging member being movable to said closed position by the action of gravity.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said spaced frame members of said container opening include aligned mounting holes on opposite sides of said container opening, and wherein said refuse retaining member comprises a rod removably inserted in said mounting holes.
 5. Load retaining means for a refuse container and associated stationary packer apparatus comprising, in combination, portable container means including spaced frame members defining a container opening in the sidewall thereof; stationary packer apparatus including a packer frame means defining a refuse receiving passage having a refuse discharge opening; means for detachably connecting said container means to said packer frame means with said container opening communicating with said refuse discharge opening; a packer ram mounted for reciprocation in said passage between a retracted position wherein said passage is loaded and an extended position wherein a front end of said ram is adjacent said container opening; a refuse engaging member of angular cross section and including an upper flange pivotally mounted on the front end of said ram, a lower flange freely engaging said front end of said ram, and an apex extending forwardly of said ram, flanges forming a retainer receiving passage across said container opening when said ram is in the extended position; refuse retaining means detachably mountable to said container means so as to extend into said retainer receiving passage when said ram is in the extended position, said refuse engaging member being pivotable transversely of the path of movement of said ram upon relative movement between said ram and container means.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said refuse retaining means includes a rod removably insertable through said spaced frame members that define said container opening and said retainer receiving passage of said refuse engaging member.
 7. In a refuse container that includes a load opening and an associated packer provided with a reciprocable ram that is movable toward and away from said opening, the combination of a movable refuse engaging means mounted on a forward end of said ram and forming a passage across said load opening, said refuse engaging means including a surface inclined relative to the front end of said ram; and a refuse retaining member mountable on said container and extendable through said passage when said ram is extended and said opening is full of refuse, said refuse engaging means including an upper edge pivotally mounted on said forward end of said ram so as to be moved to a passage forming position by the action of gravity and to a member releasing position by engagement with said refuse retaining member. 